Sen. Darcy Jech

Maddy summaryHB 4459 allows groundwater irrigation districts or conservation districts to create metering programs for farmers, enabling certified participants to apply for a five-year flexible water allocation. This directly affects farmers in participating districts who can temporarily exceed their annual water limit by up to 200% in a single year, as long as their total usage over five years stays within the basin's overall allocation. To qualify, participants must submit annual metering certifications from their district and pay an annual fee. The bill also states that exceeding the 200% annual limit or five-year total triggers penalties for unauthorized water use, as outlined in existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 4344 allows the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to reduce funding allocations to public colleges and universities when necessary to cover specific lease payments (under Section 3206.6a of Title 70) or annual obligations (under Section 3980.4 of Title 70). This bill directly affects all 22 institutions in Oklahoma's public higher education system by giving the Regents authority to redirect existing state funds. The key mechanism permits the Regents to adjust annual funding distributions to ensure required lease and obligation payments are made without new appropriations. The bill focuses on administrative flexibility in fund allocation, not new spending or policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1818 amends Oklahoma's Social Worker's Licensing Act by updating definitions for key terms related to social work practice. It clarifies distinctions between "clinical social work" (including diagnosis and treatment) and "nonclinical social work" (such as case management and advocacy), and defines roles like "licensed clinical social worker" (LCSW) and "licensed masters social worker" (LMSW). The bill directly affects licensed social workers, the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers, and social work education programs by standardizing terminology used in licensing and practice. This is a procedural clarification of existing definitions, not a change to licensing requirements or practice standards.

Maddy summarySB 1708 creates a legal presumption that joint custody is in the best interest of a child for Oklahoma courts to consider in custody disputes involving minor children. Parents must submit detailed custody plans covering living arrangements, child support, medical care, and school placement, which courts can approve or modify if they serve the child’s best interests. The bill includes strong exceptions: courts must prioritize child and victim safety in cases of child abuse, domestic violence, stalking, or harassment, treating these as primary factors that can override the joint custody presumption. This directly affects parents navigating divorce or custody cases in Oklahoma, requiring structured planning while ensuring safety concerns are legally prioritized.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Oklahoma's School Security Revolving Fund to cover additional security measures and requires annual allocations for three fiscal years. It directly affects Oklahoma public schools and the State Department of Education, which manages the fund. Key provisions include removing previous spending limits, mandating yearly fund allocations (subject to available money), and specifying that funds must be used for school resource officers, physical security upgrades (like cameras, locks, and ballistic shelters), and mental health counseling services. The bill emphasizes these funds must supplement, not replace, existing school security funding.

Maddy summarySB 1387 allows Oklahoma residents who sell a vehicle within six months before or after purchasing a new one to deduct the sold vehicle's value from the sales tax calculation on their new purchase. Specifically, if a buyer paid tax on the full price of a new vehicle but sold a vehicle within that six-month window, they can receive a refund equal to 1.25% of the sold vehicle's value (up to the total tax paid). This change directly affects individuals trading in used cars when buying new ones, simplifying tax refunds for this common scenario. The bill amends Oklahoma's tax code to clarify this deduction mechanism in Sections 1355 and 1404 of Title 68.

Maddy summarySB 1372 allows eligible Oklahoma probationers to shorten their probation term by earning credits. Offenders who complete their first year of probation or earn a high school diploma, college degree, or vocational certificate can receive credits equal to 1/4 of their probation length. Supervising agencies must track these credits, notify offenders annually about their projected termination date, and inform courts when credits qualify for early termination. The bill excludes those convicted of certain serious offenses (like specific sex crimes or violent felonies) and allows offenders who complete education after probation ends to file a court motion for credit reduction.

Maddy summarySB 1430 amends Oklahoma Statute 43A O.S. 2021, Section 2-101, to change the removal process for the Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The bill specifies that the Commissioner may now be removed by a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber (House and Senate), rather than by the Governor alone or through other mechanisms. It also updates all references in state law to reflect the department's full name, "Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services." This change directly affects the Commissioner and the governance structure of the department, effective November 1, 2026. The bill does not alter the Commissioner’s appointment authority (still by the Governor with Senate consent).

Maddy summarySB 1391 modifies Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Act to adjust household income limits for families using the program. It increases the income threshold for the highest credit tier from $150,000 to $225,000 annually (with a $6,000 credit), adds a new $250,000+ bracket (capping credits at $5,000), and maintains lower tiers for lower-income households. The bill affects families paying private school tuition who qualify for the tax credit, capping the credit at actual tuition costs regardless of income. It also requires participating private schools to administer certain assessments to students, updating prior requirements. These changes apply to tax years 2024 onward and fiscal years 2026 onward.

Maddy summarySB 1727 allows minors under 18 or their parents to sue social media companies if a diagnosed mental health issue (like anxiety or depression) was caused by the minor’s excessive use of algorithmically curated platforms - those using engagement-driving features like autoplay, endless scrolling, or push notifications. To win, plaintiffs must prove the mental health condition resulted from the excessive use, but courts must assume causation unless the company shows it implemented safety measures. Social media companies can avoid liability by limiting minors’ daily use to 3 hours, blocking access between 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., requiring parental consent, and disabling engagement features for minors. If liability is found, plaintiffs can recover $10,000 per incident or actual damages, plus attorney fees.